The national Tau Kappa Alpha debating fraternity granted the University of Tennessee a chapter in 1916. The charter members—those who qualified for membership through their success in debating—were J. A. Fowler Jr., H. J. Fowler, E. H. Malone, S. G. Abernathy, C. G. Gentry, and C. C. Ross. This national honorary debating fraternity for men who had represented their university in an intercollegiate debate or oratorical contest was founded at Butler College, Indianapolis, in 1908.